French: 7–10 Sequence / Levels 7 and 8 / Understanding / Language variation and change
Content description
Understand the dynamic nature of French and other languages
Elaborations
understanding that languages and cultures change continuously due to contact with each other and in response to new ideas and developments in communications and technology (la mondialisation)
recognising that the French language continuously borrows and adapts words and expressions from other languages, including English, for example, stop! le football, le sketch, le clown; le sushi, l’origami
recognising that many French words are used in English and in other languages (for example, croissant, menu, ballet, chef, chauffeur), and noticing the different vocabulary areas that these words tend to belong to (such as terms relating to food and fashion) and considering possible reasons for this
collecting French words used in English (for example, le restaurant, le menu, le chauffeur, le ballet, la pirouette), and comparing how they are pronounced by French or English speakers
understanding that some languages are growing and adapting, while others (such as indigenous languages across the world) are endangered, disappearing or reviving, or blending with stronger languages
